Manned Space Activities Research Articles

Analysis of Factors Affecting Space Teleoperation Safety Performance Based on a Hybrid Fuzzy DEMATEL Method

Teleoperation is one of the highest-risk activities in manned space activities. An appropriate set of influencing factors is essential for the safety assessment of teleoperation. The examination of the impact of a single factor or two factors on space teleoperation as done in the existing works suffers from the lack of a systematic analysis of factors. To address this gap, a hybrid α-level set incorporated in the hesitant fuzzy decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method was adopted in this study to identify and analyze teleoperation factors. The findings are as follows: (a) A system of influencing factors for teleoperation safety performance was constructed based on an extensive literature review and using the Delphi method with the aid of 30 space experts. The system covered 16 factors grouped based on individual, crew, machine, and context perspectives. (b) The α level affects the screening results of the pivotal influencing factors. For the average α level, five pivotal influencing factors, namely, team communication, basic cognitive ability, display interface information, control mode design, and task complexity, are identified from the 16 influencing factors. The present study represents a valuable effort in extracting the crucial influencing factors that affect teleoperation safety performance. It provides valuable insights from an ergonomic viewpoint and aids in determining priorities for enhancing operational safety.

Telling China's story through reports on major manned space activities: A case study of the coverage of Shenzhou spacecraft in Chinese and Western media

The Shenzhou spacecraft have been independently developed by China, and the country has complete intellectual property rights to this technology. The spacecraft are examples of China's achievements in space technology, are representative of the country having reached or surpassed international technological standards for third-generation manned spacecraft, and have garnered widespread interest among international media and audiences. Our study found that there are many differences between Chinese and Western media in their coverage of this major topic. China's reporting system on this issue is well established but still has room for improvement. Western media have considered both positive and negative angles when reporting on this issue, and that deserves attention. In these circumstances, it is important for China to improve its communicators, communication content, information release mechanisms, narrative style and response mechanism through targeted measures, such as cultivating new communicators, developing new content and minimizing cultural discounts in cross-cultural communication in order to enhance China's voice on the world stage.

Microbial characteristics of nitrifiers, denitrifiers and anammox bacteria on different support media to treat space mission wastewater

Biomass attachment and growth are important factors for the startup and stability of fixed-film biological reactors being proposed to recycle wastewater for potable water use in manned space activity. Eight different biofilm support media commonly used in wastewater treatment plants, aquaculture, and aquariums were compared for their relative ability to support attachment and growth of nitrifiers, denitrifiers, and anaerobic ammonia oxidizing (anammox) bacteria biomass. Accumulated total biomass was determined by comparing dry weight of each media before and after culturing of biomass. Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization (FISH) analysis was used to quantify the proportion and relative activity of each organism group on each media. Measurements of dry biomass normalized to several media properties showed polyether polyurethane foam to have the highest extent of specific biomass attachment and colonization. Six of the eight media were able to sustain a population of anammox bacteria that was more abundant than the other cohorts.

Collision risk investigation for an operational spacecraft caused by space debris

The collision probability between an operational spacecraft and a population of space debris is investigated. By dividing the 3-dimensional operational space of the spacecraft into several space volume cells (SVC) and proposing a boundary selection method to calculate the collision probability in each SVC, the distribution of the collision risk, as functions of the time, the orbital height, the declination, the impact elevation, the collision velocity, etc., can be obtained. Thus, the collision risk could be carefully evaluated over a time span for the general orbital configurations of the spacecraft and the space debris. As an application, the collision risk for the Tiangong-2 space laboratory caused by the cataloged space debris is discussed and evaluated. Results show that most of the collision threat comes from the front left and front right in Tiangong-2’s local, quasi-horizontal plane. And the collision probability will also accumulate when Tiangong-2 moves to the largest declinations (about ${\pm} 42^{\circ}$ ). As a result, the manned space activities should be avoided at those declinations.

Tendency and critical scientific issues of space life science in China

As an emerging interdiscipline, space life science, generated and developed with human space, especially manned space exploration,, covering very wide research fields. In the past more than half a century, many significant findings and achievements have been achieved in this field, which not only supports the missions of manned space exploration, but also provides service for the life on the earth. With the continuous development of Chinese manned space and deep space exploration activities, especially the startup of Chinese manned space station project, the next two decades will be the prime time for the development of Chinese space life science. To conduct space life science, obtain new knowledge and innovative technology and provide further service for human space exploration, national economic and social development basing on Chinese manned space station and return type scientific satellite experiment platform, which need us to study and thinking systematically from the strategic perspective of subject development. By reviewing the historical and current development of space life science at home and abroad, this essay analyzes and prospects the strategic needs, key scientific problems and development direction of Chinese space life science, in order to provide inspiration and reference for its development.

Review of Session 6: Medical Physics

Medical physics is very important in carbon ion radiotherapy, as it is in conventional radiotherapy using X-rays and in estimation of exposed dose in the space environment. High-energy ion beams such as carbon beams have physical characteristics such as the Bragg curve, high LET, and nuclear reactions producing fragmentations. Therefore, understanding these properties well is essential for further development of carbon radiotherapy and manned space activity. We invited, therefore, the following six presentations relevant to issues ranging from the measurement of fragmentations, lineal energy distributions using the microdosimetric approach, and neutron dose with active beam delivery of carbon-ion therapy, to the depth–dose distribution of various ions inside a human head phantom.

Research on Development of Life Support System Technology for Manned Space Activities

Research on Development of Life Support System Technology for Manned Space Activities

2P1-M02 クルー装着型マニピュレータの初期概念検討 : 概念設計とロボットハンドの試作(【宇宙工学部門】宇宙工学とロボティクス・メカトロニクス)

This paper presents an initial conceptual design of a wearable manipulator for supporting astronaut extravehicular activity (EVA). The proposed robot system acts as a third hand or eye of astronauts, and supports them by handling tools or recording their tasks using camera during EVA with the manipulator itself attached to the space suit or handrail. The initial conceptual design includes the system concept, requirements, elemental technologies and operational scenarios which are defined on the basis of the interviews to astronauts and operators. The prototype of the manipulator, especially robotic hand or end effector is also discussed in this paper for estimating the feasibility of the proposed robot system in the future manned space activities.

Fundamental study of water electrolysis for life support system in space

To establish supporting technologies, JAXA (Japan Aerospace eXploration Agency) is researching systems that will be indispensable for manned space activities beyond low earth orbit, including “Water Recycling Technology” and “Air Recycle Technology”. In this paper, SPE (solid polymer electrolyte) water electrolysis is investigated for the recycling technology. Although water is usually supplied into anode side on the earth, cathode feed type and static one is employed under the special environment. The performance of the cathode one could match our target by flushing the gas bubbles sticking on the electrode, while the static one shows the gas-free electrolysis process without any mechanical pumping system. The in situ observation during aqueous water electrolysis shows active bubble motions depending on the solution components. Gas bubbles spontaneously jumps and detach from the electrode in KOH electrolysis, while they easily coalesce and stick in H2SO4 one. The transient behavior is strongly controlled by wettability under microgravity where the buoyancy force can be neglected.

Fungal Biota in Manned Space Environment and Impact on Human Health

It is important to promote microbiological research essential for long-term manned space activities under microgravity and in a completely closed environment in space craft in relation to long-duration space expeditions on the International Space Station (ISS) or to the moon and Mars in the future. Environmental monitoring data from the space shuttle, the Mir, and the ISS have already shown that microorganisms isolated from air and on inner surfaces of space craft were generally carried by crew members. The Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) "KIBO" was attached to the ISS and started its operation from 2008. It is an invaluable opportunity to begin the survey of the transition of microbiota, particularly fungal biota, in JEM from "brand-new" to "well-used" condition at various periods. Therefore, we are preparing the on-board analyzing systems for microbiota in air and on inner surfaces of ISS/JEM and normal microbiota of the astronauts themselves. In this paper, we introduce the current status and future plans on fungal research on ISS/JEM to protect flight crew members and flight hardware from potentially hazardous microorganisms from the environmental and biomedical aspects of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

KIBO (Japanese Experiment Module in ISS) operations—2008/3–2009/10

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched its own first manned experiment facility in space called the KIBO (Japanese Experiment Module, JEM) in 2008 and 2009 and started operations as part of International Space Station (ISS). To accomplish this Operation, JAXA made its own ground facility in Tsukuba, Japan, called Space Station Integration and Promotion Center (SSIPC). Ground personnel at SSIPC called the JEM Flight Control Team (JFCT) operate the KIBO and have learnt many lessons during its operation. In this presentation, some topics are chosen and explained such as (1) crew/ground personnel interaction and (2) planning lessons learned for manned space activities.

Up to 1-hour forecasting of radiation hazards from solar energetic ion events with relativistic electrons

[1] The sudden and prompt occurrence of solar energetic particle events poses a hazard to manned space activities and interferes with robotic space science missions. This study demonstrates the possibility of short-term forecasting of the appearance and intensity of solar ion events by means of relativistic, near–light speed electrons. A list of the most severe proton events measured by GOES 8 in the years 1996–2002 serves as a basis to derive the fundamentals of the forecasting method with statistical and superposed epoch techniques. The Comprehensive Suprathermal and Energetic Particle Analyzer (COSTEP) on SOHO provides relativistic electron and <50 MeV proton observations at 1 AU. With a subset of solar particle events (SPEs) where the location of the associated flare on the Sun has been determined, we find that (1) relativistic electrons always arrive at 1 AU ahead of nonrelativistic SPEs allowing their forecasting; (2) the intensity increase of both, electrons and protons alike, depends on the magnetic connection, i.e., the magnetic longitude difference between the observer and the flare; and (3) as coming from one source under near-identical propagation conditions, significant correlations exist that show that the early electron intensity and increase can be utilized as a matrix to forecast the upcoming proton intensity. The study demonstrates one initial empirical forecasting technique with electron and proton observations in 2003.

概念設計過程の定式化に基づく再生型生命維持システムの概念設計支援ツールの開発

Regenerative Life Support Systems (RLSS), which maintain human lives by recycling substances essential for living, are comprised of humans, plants, and material circulation systems. The plants supply food to the humans or reproduce water and gases by photosynthesis, while the material circulation systems recycle physicochemically and circulate substances disposed by humans and plants. RLSS attracts attention since manned space activities have been shifted from previous short trips to long-term stay activities as such base as a space station, a lunar base, and a Mars base. The present typical space base is the International Space Station (ISS), a manned experimental base for prolonged stays, where RLSS recycles only water and air. In order to accommodate prolonged and extended manned activity in future space bases, developing RLSS that implements food production and regeneration of resources at once using plants is expected. The configuration of RLSS should be designed to suit its own duty, for which design requirements for RLSS with an unprecedented configuration may arise. Accordingly, it is necessary to establish a conceptual design method for generalized RLSS. It is difficult, however, to systematize the design process by analyzing previous design because there are only a few ground-experimental facilities, namely CEEF (Closed Ecology Experiment Facilities) of Japan, BIO-Plex (Bioregenerative Planetary Life Support Systems Test Complex) of the U.S., and BIOS3 of Russia. Thus a conceptual design method which doesn’t rely on previous design examples is required for generalized RLSS from the above reasons. This study formalizes a conceptual design process, and develops a conceptual design support tool for RLSS based on this design process.

The European Astronaut Centre prepares for International Space Station operations

The European Space Agency (ESA) contribution to the International Space Station (ISS) goes much beyond the delivery of hardware like the Columbus Laboratory, its payloads and the Automated Transfer Vehicles. ESA Astronauts will be members of the ISS crew. ESA, according to its commitments as ISS international partner, will be responsible to provide training on its elements and payloads to all ISS crewmembers and medical support for ESA astronauts. The European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne has developed over more than a decade into the centre of expertise for manned space activities within ESA by contributing to a number of important co-operative spaceflight missions. This role will be significantly extended for ISS manned operations. Apart from its support to ESA astronauts and their onboard operations, EAC will have a key role in training all ISS astronauts on ESA elements and payloads. The medical support of ISS crew, in particular of ESA astronauts has already started. This paper provides an overview on status and further plans in building up this homebase function for ESA astronauts and on the preparation towards Training Readiness for ISS crew training at EAC, Cologne. Copyright © 2001 by the European Space Agency. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., with permission. Released to IAF/IAA/AIAA to publish in all forms.

523 レーザーで燃焼制御する固体ロケットモーターの概念

Reusable spacecraft that are easy to maintain will be required for long term manned space activities. Generally solid propellants are better than liquid propellants in respect of thermal management and in their potential to harm the human body. Further, solid propellant rocket motors don't require special equipment for temperature controls or for countermeasures against harmful materials etc in space or lunar environments. Moreover, because of their simple structure maintenance can be easily undertaken. However, it is difficult to terminate and control the combustion of solid propellants once they are ignited in a conventional solid propellant rocket motor. The rocket motor I propose herein has ignition, combustion control, and extinction capabilities for solid propellants utilizing laser controls to overcome the inherent weaknesses with solid propellant rocket motors.

Future vision of satellite communications for expanding human activities

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the R&D for the future communications satellite, considering the expansion of human space activities in the future. It is described that the future vision of satellite communications R&D with three generations over 30 years. It is also described that the manned space development will be going to be discussed in Japan. It is emphasized that the high capacity information communications system is needed for the security of the manned space activities. The paper discusses that the impact of future manned space development to the satellite communications R&D. The topics include not only earth orbiting activities but also its expansion to the moon. As a manned space information communication infrastructure, it is a global communication network in the first generation. Therefore substantiality of data relay satellites is above all necessary. Speedup of a global communication network is a main issue in the second generation. Furthermore, assuming that the manned space activity spreads to the moon, and a high-speed communication network between the moon/earth stations, a stationary satellite of the moon and connection with a global network will become an issue. We show examples of the system and the items of technology R&D.

有人宇宙活動における高分子機能膜の利用

有人宇宙活動における高分子機能膜の利用

有人宇宙技術の展望 有人宇宙活動と心理学的諸問題

有人宇宙技術の展望 有人宇宙活動と心理学的諸問題

有人宇宙技術の展望 有人宇宙活動を支える技術

有人宇宙技術の展望 有人宇宙活動を支える技術

Space: a challenge for Europe

This Viewpoint presents an industrial perspective of the policies needed to support and advance the capabilities and competitiveness of the European space industry. It is argued that Europe needs a coordinated longterm space policy to help create the climate in which industry can invest in and exploit space. Europe must also accelerate the development of advanced technology products and services, improve its competitiveness in applications and commercial markets including launchers, and secure fair and reliable international partnerships in in-orbit infrastructure and manned space activities. To this end European governments are urged to acknowledge the increasing political, economic and military importance of space and their continuing governance of space activities, and to establish mechanisms that promote industrial competitiveness; the development of the commercial sector; autonomy in key technologies; and international partnerships which are fair and affordable.